Living with IBS and trying new things

By patrickcctx

2 min read

Hi IBS community,

So I have had IBS(D) for many years now, and mine is mostly connected with certain foods and also the psychological element. It is bad in the morning in particular and I have been a consistent user of Imodium, which I do not like, given that it has the tendency to completely immobilize your intestine and bowel.

Medication trials

At first I just thought that my IBS was a psychological link between the panic attacks I used to get and my physiological "fight or flight" reaction to stressful situations, but after a period where I had terrible pain at night in my lower abdomen I had to seek medical help to find out what was really going on. So after doing a test for IBS(D) which came back strongly positive my gastroenterologist put me on Xifaxan, which is an extremely strong antibiotic that essentially clears out all the bacteria in your gut and bowel and allows for a complete reset. This worked to stop the pain, but shortly after using it I had similar diarrhea symptoms again, and particularly in the morning.

So after a battle with my health insurance provider, I am now on the 75mg dose of Viberzi, but I'm only really taking half of that dose every morning and skipping the evening dose. In terms of the morning, it has been a game changer in that it stops the spasms so you have no more panic attacks about finding a "pit-stop" toilet on your way to wherever you're going, but it does have some side effects, and definitely limits your intake of alcohol.

Optimizing diet

What I am now about to do is to take the Zoe test for gut biome and blood fat and glucose and then design a diet around that. I definitely notice that with some foods, if I eat them in the evening, it causes huge distress in the morning - so for example hot dogs with mustard and ketchup is an absolute horror show for me in the morning, and even meatloaf with veggies and mashed potatoe also (but to a lesser extent) appears to cause a flare up. But I think the Viberzi with the optimized diet will hopefully get me to the next level in terms of being able to live with this condition.

Just as a side note, I have tried peppermint and not found it helpful (I don't notice any effects) but I would definitely be interested to hear feedback on other treatments and food supplements.

Thanks for reading this far, and I look forward to interacting with this group!

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explodingguts Member
I've had IBS-D for weary yrs but have never been offered any of the medications you describe, alas. Neither GI nor GP knows the cause so they won't offer mitigation of any kind. Nor do they show any willingness to investigate. I am completely on my own, so I have determined to pick up the slack myself by subscribing to various databases at the NIDDK, part of the National Institute of Health. My hope is that I will learn of some curative and then plead a case with GP to try it. So far, I've read a little about microscopic colitis, which may be related to long-term use of a medication, such as my asthma puffers. I, too, rely on Immodium but unlike you couldn't care less if it paralyzes the intestines as long as it stops the explosions, and following diet changes - no tomatoes, citrus or raw fruit and veg - Immodium is pretty effective. One must be careful not to exceed the limit of 4 a day or the consequences are painful and immobilizing. I'm not a fan of costly phony-balony 'natural' anything but I learned from a homeopath's blog, Pranjali, about remedies for different kinds of diarrhea and have found that aloe socatrina pellets every few hours effectively smoothes the sensation of having swallowed razor blades in favor of a calm, quiet stomach - no whooshing or cramps. The aloe has given me the confidence to resume workouts, which is a stress buster in addition to all the other benefits. Exercise is a trigger still and I sometimes have to pause but it's getting less frequent. The other homeopathic remedies I've tried have been ineffective. So far, microscopic colitis describes my night time explosions best but I don't have an MD with any knowledge of or interest in the problem and in CA we have no freedom of contract. We can't select experts to consult. For now, I will persevere in my study of research developments with a hopeful heart. According to the research, IBS affects about 12% of the population, a significant number, so it's not a rare illness just an unstudied one. I would urge all sufferers to follow developments in this research if only to feel some sense of control however remote. <img src="/content/images/2022/04/20/11aba463393025db394da5536a517399_medium.png" alt="Microscopic colitis description" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. explodingguts Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> Yes, aloe socatrina 5 pellets every few hrs and two Immodium at night as required. Not required every night but almost. BUT no more Tylenol for pain, fever, etc. The aloe seems to have put paid to cramps and flu-like symptoms during explosions. Progress! But still working to preclude after-supper explosions. I dislike reading medical anything but there is no other way to determine effective treatment. God bless America, which encourages direct communication with researchers. We have nothing like the NHI up here. I'm lucky if GP deigns to complete a referral form to permit specialist consultation. I'm sick of the whole failed system. Now I go to source. Fingers crossed. Dull reading but no worse than other specialized literature. 
2. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 So great to hear you are at least having progress. And yes, the US isn't perfect but overall we are so blessed to have what we have. I'm sorry it isn't the same for you. I wish it were different. Big hugs, Elizabeth (team member)
explodingguts Member
Ditto IBS-D long time. ZERO medical support here in Canada. Read about Viberzi here - <a href='https://gastro.org/news/new-aga-guideline-a-targeted-approach-to-ibs-c-and-ibs-d-treatment/?hilite=ibs-d+treatment' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://gastro.org/news/new-aga-guideline-a-targeted-approach-to-ibs-c-and-ibs-d-treatment/?hilite=ibs-d+treatment</a> - and consider trying it, but after I learned my asthma puffers may have caused the problem, I'm reluctant to try anything that has to be taken every day. I am the family cook so I have to work despite nausea and explosions. None of the OTC treatments I've tried - honey, probiotics, apple cider vinegar, Metamucil and its brethren, homeopathic remedies, incl aloe socatrina (the best so far) - has helped for more than a few weeks - usually just a week. Monster (my digestive system) explodes regardless of what I ingest about every second day usually at night an hour or so after eating often with little warning. I also take Immodium after eruptions. Feels as if something in my digestive system is broken or the proper flow impeded. I'll be very interested in your progess. I did notice that Monster was quiet when I was taking strong antibiotics for pneumonia several yrs ago. Told many MDs but no reaction. I am now powering through Centrepointe meditation recordings trying to inspire unconscious healing but often about 10 min in Monster spams me with nausea then a cramp paroxysm. My son, the Centrepointe proponent, says it's toxins working their way out and to keep at it. I have no alternative so I will comply hoping and praying for respite.